Mollie Mae McElhaney, 85, of Whiteoak, died Sept. 11, at her home. Services are pending.

Hester Woods Reed, 77, died Sept. 5 at East Texas Medical Center-Pittsburg; she was born Sept. 15, 1938 in Clarksville. Services were held at 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at Springhill Baptist Church in Pittsburg under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. e Rev. Patrick Lloyd o ciated. Interment was held at Hanson Cemetery in Pittsburg.

Arlene Olson Shults passed away Monday, Aug. 29 in Mt. Pleasant. She was born Oct. 18, 1935 in Austin, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents; Joseph Oliver and Mildred Brimacomb Olson; a brother Richard Olson; and her children’s father Rusty Shults. She is survived by her brother David Olson and her sisters Marjorie DeRaad, Ruth Olson, and Barbara Buck all of Minnesota. She is also survived by four children; Ricky Shults and wife Annette of Mt. Pleasant, Christy Young of Kilgore, Randy Shults and wife Cyndi of Wichita Falls and Richy Shults and wife Pam of Pittsburg. Plus, she is survived by 15 Grandchildren, 35 Great Grandchildren, and three great- great grandchildren. Arlene loved life, loved her family and friends, and to say she loved baseball would be an understatement! From the Texas rangers to t-ball she was the ultimate fan. ere will be a private memorial in honor of Arlene at a later date. Donations may be made in memory of Arlene Shults to the Mt. Pleasant Youth Baseball Association at P.O. Box 903 Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75455.

Peggy Chappell Bergh, 95 of Austin, Texas died from heart complications at the Heart Hospital of Austin Tuesday evening, Sept. 13.. Peggy was born on March 21, 1921 in Pittsburg, Texas to Gertrude and Charles Chappell, P.E. Peggy attended Pittsburg High School and graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. She married Army 2nd Lt. Albert Gordon Bergh on August 30, 1946 and later had two sons, Gordon and Charles. Peggy was a teacher for many years. She taught art and technical drawing in public schools and local junior colleges in Pasadena, California; Agana, Guam, and Pittsburg, Texas. She was an artist at heart who loved to sculpt and paint. She enjoyed walking the halls of museums soaking in the nuances of great artists. She expressed her passion for life through active support of her family, the Daughters of the American Revolution and as long -term member of the Pittsburg Presbyterian Church. She faced life’s challenges poised in quiet strength and faith, living it fully to her end. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Bergh, two sisters Lucien and Betty, and half-brother Charles Chappell, Jr. Surviving her loss are sons A. Gordon Bergh, Jr. and wife Tricia of Hawkins, and son Charles Bergh and wife Christie of Dripping Springs; and grandchildren Brandi (husband Luke Sorreto), Christi (husband Brian Wade and daughter Brynn), Zachary, Christian, and Kallie. The family wants to extend a special thanks to all of the staff at the Heart Hospital of Austin and to friends and staff at Westminster. Visitation was held Wednesday, September 21 from 5-7p.m. at Erman Smith Funeral Home, 315 Rusk Street, Pittsburg, TX 75686. Family friend and the Rev. Danny Hobby will officiate services at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the First Presbyterian Church, 111 North Ave., Pittsburg, TX 75686. All efforts are coordinated through the Erman Smith Funeral Home.

Sammie Marie Sheppard, 62, died on Sept. 12 at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Sheppard was born on June 21, 1954 in Pittsburg. Services were held at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Pittsburg under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home; it was officiated by the Rev. Patrick Lloyd.

Margaret Sue Reynolds, of Pittsburg, passed away peacefully on Sept. 15 at the age of 73. Margaret was born June 11, 1943 in Camp County to Troy Crawford Reynolds and Gladys Sanders Reynolds. Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Sept. 17 at Macedonia Cemetery in Camp County with Virgil Faires officiating.

Donna Gayle Laird Jones was perfectly healed on Sept. 11, after a determined and courageous battle with cancer. She epitomized a gracious, godly Christ-follower and in her quiet, meek spirit, influenced hundreds of people’s lives. She was born Sept. 23, 1954, to H.P. and Oneta Laird in Pittsburg. Her life was shaped profoundly by her coming to faith in Christ as a young girl and her mother’s encouragement and participation in church and the Bible Memory Association. The Scriptures became the core of her life, virtue, character and strength. She graduated from Arlington Baptist College in 1977 with a degree in Bible and Christian Education. It was also there that she met Griffin Jones and they were married, June 2, 1975. Her deepest desire was to be a spiritual woman, wife, mother, friend and homemaker. She fulfilled God’s purpose throughout her life in all of these with dignity, grace, and honor. While she represents the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 in so many ways, she is the model of the spiritual woman described in the New Testament. Her legacy thrives first and foremost in the impact on her family. She is survived her husband, Griffin and by daughters Shawn Crane and her husband Cameron and Cherith Jones; her grand-daughter, Eliana Crane; her mother, Oneta Laird; sister, Geneva Combest; nieces Mary Elizabeth Hensel and her husband Ronnie and sons Riley and Rusty Hensel; Tracie Perkins and her husband Chad;, and their children, Jacob, Joshua, and Jacie; nephew, Tyrone Jennings. Among other extended family, her Cousin Janie Siegle and husband Stan have been close and encouraging in these years of battling cancer. Donna was a quiet, thoughtful, introspective woman of faith and of the Word of God. She was an anointed intercessory prayer warrior. In small groups of Bible study, she was never out-spoken or over-spoken; however, when she did speak, everyone listened to thoughtful, measured words of wisdom, insight, and truth. The famous English physicist, mathematician, theologian and natural philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” For our family’s vision and dreams of following Christ, fulfilling His purposes and ministering through His family, the church —we have, and will continue to look forward in confident faith because we have “stood on her shoulders,” and been held in her heart and arms. Our deepest thanks goes to our amazing, loving church family, Crossroads Fellowship, for your faithful love, encouragement and passionate prayers for Donna and our family. In addition, we are grateful for the unity of Christ-followers and churches in Odessa and Midland, across these United States and globally who have supported us in this season of struggle against cancer. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Sept. 15 at Crossroads Fellowship with Dr. Charles Lowery officiating. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Crossroads Fellowship.

Julia Danielle Irene McCurry-Shoemaker, 25, was born on June 28, 1991 and passed away Sept. 10. Julia was born in Fort Worth to Shelley Adam and Kent Conner. Julia lived in Fort Worth and then Oklahoma City until she was 3. In 1994, she was adopted by Mike and Sandra McCurry, her paternal grandparents. She grew up in Pittsburg and attended school there and took classes at Northeast Texas Community College; she later attended Paris Junior College. While in Pittsburg, she attended St. William Laud Episcopal Church. Julia excelled in gymnastics much of her growing up years. She first learned gymnastics from Mandy Hobbs. She later joined the Academy School of Dance and Gymnastics in Mount Pleasant and toured with that group to Australia. She was a cheerleader at Pittsburg Middle School and Pittsburg High School. This past year, she lived in Killeen, where she married Fred Shoemaker on July 22. She is survived by her husband, Fred Shoemaker of Killeen; her mother-in-law, Becky Vaughn; her daughter, Alexis Staples; her brother, Corey McCurry of Tyler; her parents, Shelley Adam of Tulsa and Kent Conner of Irving; her paternal grandparents, Mike and Sandra McCurry of Pittsburg; and grandparents, Bill and Nancy Conner of Arlington. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at St. William Laud Episcopal Church in Pittsburg. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Terry Matthews and the Rev. Jim Price. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Residents Encounter Christ (REC) Prison Ministry, c/o St. William Laud Episcopal Church, Box 1057, Pittsburg, TX 75686 or contribute to one’s favorite charity in Julia’s memory.

Welton Louis White, 62, was born on Feb. 17, 1954 in Pittsburg and died Sept. 16 at Select Specialty Hospital in Longview. Services were held at 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel in Pittsburg. e Rev. Patrick Lloyd o ciated the service and internment was held at Wilkes Cemetery in Pittsburg.

Richard Allen McCarty of Pittsburg passed away Sept. 19, at the age of 82. Richard was born August 8, 1934 in Columbus, Ohio to Elden McCarty and Lemma Chapman McCarty. He graduated from Tyler High School and attended Tyler Junior College. He would later graduate from Texas A&M in 1958 with his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts. Mr. McCarty was a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served for six years and obtained the rank of Captain. He enjoyed lengthy careers with Texas Instruments and Boeing before retiring to Pittsburg. Richard is survived by his wife: Carol McCarty of Pittsburg; two daughters: Lynn Hillston and husband Stuart of Thame, England; and Rowena Russell and husband Chuck of Bremmerton, Washington; two step-sons: Chris Pollard and wife Kim of Blodgett; and Kerry Pollard and wife Lauren of Dallas; as well as 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a sister: Mary Newman of Tyler, niece: Glinda Bauer and husband Tom of Tyler and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Elden and Lemma Chapman. Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 at First United Methodist Church in Pittsburg with the Rev. Hill Johnson officiating. The committal service will be held at the church, followed by a private burial. Visitation with the family was held from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 23 at the funeral home. In lieu of owers memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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James Edward Borth, 92, of Mount Pleasant, passed away Sept. 24 in Plano, surrounded by his loving family. James was born March 8, 1924 in Kaufman to Herman and Essie Borth. In 1942, at the age of 18, James enlisted in the US Army Air Force. He excelled at ight school and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutanant Pilot in May of 1944. James would serve as a ight instructor with the 559th Base Unit for the rest of the war. Afterwards, he served in the Air Force Reserve until 1955. A er his military service, Mr. Borth began commercial farming and crop dusting in west Texas. Later, he would own two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Longview and Tyler, and would work as the Director of the East Texas Division of the Department of Agriculture before retiring in 1990. James is survived by his wife of 34 years, Eva Rice Borth; a son: David Borth and wife Becki of the Woodlands; two daughters: Frieda Borth of Austin, and Jane Borth Cates and husband Gary of Little Elm. He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Essie Borth. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at Erman Smith Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. at Kaufman City Cemetery in Kaufman.

Bobbie Floyd Brown Mattingly, 88, of Mount Pleasant was born on Oct. 28 1927 in Marshall Springs and died Sept. 18 in Mount Pleasant; she was a homemaker. Services were held at Bates-Cooper-Sloan Chapel at 2 p.m. Sept. 21 with Dr. Clint Davis and Bro. Bryan Peck o ciating. Internment was held at Win eld Cemetery in Win eld. She is survived by three daughters: Earlene Poe and husband Norman of Pittsburg, Judy Cook and husband Danny of Mount Pleasant and Carla Jones and husband Rusty of Mount Pleasant; seven grandchildren: Lisa Poe Duran and spouse John, Kevin Poe and spouse Jennifer, Bradley Brown and spouse Kimberly, Jennifer Cook Wooten and James Arledge, Danette Cook Richardson and spouse Phillip, Angela Dunn and Chris Adair and Josh Jones and Codie Edwards; 12 great-grandkids; three great-great grandkids; sister: Jane Chislett; sisters-in-law: Garret Ruby and Maurene Brown. She was preceded in death by her father and mother: Marvin Bo Floyd and Eunice Ornill Floyd; husband: Earl Brown; son: Roger Brown; and brothers: Virgil Floyd and Jimmie Floyd. A er the death of Earl Brown, Bobbie married N. A. (Monk) Mattingly, who had three daughters: Carolyn Dean and spouse Bob, Martha Crooks and Debby Jackson and spouse Bernon; 28 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Special thanks to her friends and sta at e Oaks Assisted Living and Heart to Heart Hospice, also a special friend, Betsy McKellar. Online Registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome@yahoo.com.

J.C. Brown Jr., 83, of Pittsburg died on Sept. 22 at East Texas Medical Center Tyler; he was born Dec. 1, 1932 in Pittsburg. Services were held at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 at Center Point Baptist Church in Pittsburg with the Rev. John F. McCormick ociating. Interment was held at Center Point Cemetery in Pittsburg, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

David A. Baker, of Pittsburg, passed away  Saturday evening, Oct. 1, at the age of 74. David was born Sept. 16, 1942 in Dallas to Bruce and Georgia Baker. e day aer his 19th birthday, he wed the love of his life Bobbie Finney. Over the next 55 years the couple would laugh, love and raise three children. David enjoyed a 28 year career with the Dr. Pepper Corporation prior to his retirement. Aer that, he had spent 10 years working for Frito Lay in Dallas. Never one to slow down, David worked at Pittsburg Hot Links aer he and Bobbie moved to the Pittsburg area. More importantly, though, he was a devoted husband and father, and a wonderful friend. He had a warm and inviting personality and never met a stranger. David is survived by his beloved wife Bobbie Baker; two sons: Bruce Baker and wife Carolyn of Grice and Robert Baker and wife Peggy of Austin; daughter Donna Winchell and husband Mike of Noble, Oklahoma; as well as ve grandchildren: David, Andrew, Beverly, Rachel and Marian. He was preceded in death by his parents: Bruce and Georgia Baker and older brother Tommy Kidd. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7 at Antioch Baptist Church with Bro. Michael Pool ociating. Arrangements made by Erman Smith Funeral Home, Pittsburg.

Johnny Pernell Edwards, 52, of Pittsburg, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 25; he was born Aug. 1 1964 in Pittsburg.   He was born to Charles and Patsy Duncan Edwards. He was a dispatcher for Pilgrim’s Pride. He was a very active church member at Pine Acres Missionary Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He was most known for his telling tall tales and practical jokes. Johnny loved spending time with his family and watching Star Trek, he also enjoyed barbecuing.   He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Meshelle Edwards; parents, Charles and Patsy Edwards; sons, Jim Edwards and Darren Edwards, all of Pittsburg; sister, Dona Edwards and wife Kirsten, of Austin; brother-in-law, Chris Wall, and numerous nieces and nephews.   Johnny was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ta and Dona Renshaw and Fred Edwards and his maternal grandparents, Welton and Flossie Duncan. Memorial services were held at  5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pine Acres Missionary Baptist Church in Gilmer.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.  Leave online condolences at www.croley.net.

Curtis Lee Evetts was born Dec. 1, 1931 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas to Tom and Lura Marshall Evetts and passed away on Nov. 2, in Pittsburg.He was a member of First Baptist Church in Pittsburg since 1965; owner of Evetts Oil Company. He was active in his community, being a former Scout Master with Boy Scout Troop 210, being involved with boys baseball, Ki-wanis Club and civic organizations.Mr. Evetts is survived by his son: Dr. Curtis A. Evetts of Mount Pleasant; daughter: Janet Franklin of Pittsburg; three grandchildren and their spouses: David and Lau-ra Franklin; Austin and Leslie Evetts; and Cole and Kate Evetts; three great-grandchildren: John Franklin, Reese Evetts and Sadie Evetts; siblings and their spouses: Clin-ton and Rosemary Evetts of Pittsburg; and Lou Ella and Sam Humphrey of Clarksville.He is preceded in death by his parents; wife: Bobbye Evetts and infant daughter, Jennifer Leigh Evetts.Pallbearers included: Vee Couch, Alan Brison, Wayne Franklin, Beau Croley, Eddie Greenlee, Larry Shelton, and Bobby Carpenter. Honarary pallbearers included: Paul R. Mayben and Dr. Roger Stuart, 6 a.m. breakfast buddies.Services were held at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Pittsburg. Visitation with the family was held from 5-7 p.m. Nov.3 at the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 210 at 109 College St. Pittsburg, Texas 75686.

William “Sonny” Rufus Miller Jr., 85, passed away on Oct. 14; he was born on Jan. 28 1931 in Nacogdoches.His sister is Julia Anne Truitt of Pittsburg. Services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at  First Baptist Church of Pasadena. Interment was held at  Na-cogdoches Sunset Cemetery.

Fanning

Jerry Fanning, of Pittsburg, passed away at his home on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the age of 73. 
He was born Nov. 17, 1943 to Alfred and Phelma Thomason Fanning.
He is survived by his wife: Norma Clark Davis Fanning; a stepson: Johnny Ray Davis, Jr., of Daingerfield; a stepdaughter: Shannon Roseberry and husband Daniel, of Trophy Club; three grandchildren: Kelly Roseberry, Karen Roseberry, and Ava Elizabeth Davis; as well as a brother: Larry Fanning and wife Brenda, of Pecan Gap; and a sister: Lynda Jandro, also of Pecan Gap. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Erman Smith Funeral Home.
 

Sleeter

Dorothy Yvonne Sleeter, 89, of Clayton, Ohio, formerly of Pittsburg, died peacefully at home Saturday, Jan. 14, with her family at her side. Dorothy was preceded in death by her first husband of 14 years Alan Haverstock in 1992, her second husband of 23 years Ralph Sleeter in 2007, a son, Keith Haverstock and daughter, Vicki Sassenger.
She leaves to cherish her memory one son and daughter-in-law Larry and Paula Haverstock; daughter and son-in-law Linda and Mark Harrison with whom she recently lived; and stepdaughter and her husband Vicki and Floyd Pollard. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. 
Private services were held at the convenience of her family. 
Contributions if desired may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Ohio  45420, www.hospiceofdayton.org, in memory of Dorothy. 

Roberds

Norma Lois Roberds, 88, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at her home in Leesburg. She was born on Dec. 9, 1928 in Little Rock. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. with a visitation before the service at Curry-Welborn Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant.
 

John Randall Durfee passed away Jan. 12 at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler from pneumonia. 

He was born May 5, 1950 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He had many occupations throughout his life: owner of a 
gas station in Lincoln, mechanic for Pilgrim’s Pride and owner of several other businesses.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Durfee, and mother and stepfather Sallie and James Barrett. 

He leaves to cherish his memory a sister and her husband Sallie and Joe Justiss of Leesburg and a brother, Richard “Rick” Durfee and his wife Gail of Bossier City.

Parker
Linda Sue Dyess Parker passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Tyler at the age of 64. She was born June 16, 1952 in Pittsburg to Jim Bob and Bessie Starnes Dyess. Linda worked at Parker Building Supply; she was a Baptist and was an original T.O.T.S.school teacher at Emmanuel Baptist Church. 
She is survived by her husband: John Parker of Pittsburg; two sons: Stephen Parker and wife Robyn of Pittsburg, and Jason Parker and wife Magdalena of Johnstown, Colorado; her daughter: Christi Lawson and husband Brian of Tyler; eight grandchildren: Allie Parker, Pryce Parker, Parker Lloyd, Brianna Lawson, Logan Parker, Skylar Parker, Adam Lawson, and Joshua Lawson; as well as several nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents: Jim Bob and Bessie Dyess; a brother: Wayne Dyess; and a sister: Angela Kay Dyess.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Erman Smith Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Rice officiating. Burial followed at Ebenezer Cemetery with Bro. Tim Parker officiating. Visitation with the family was held from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mrs. Parker’s honor to the National Kidney Foundation: 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY, 10016.

Rodgers
Ta’Corrin Rodgers, age 7, of Pittsburg, lost his fight for life to congenital heart and renal failure and passed away Friday, Feb. 10 in Quitman, surrounded by his family. Ta’Corrin was born Feb. 20, 2009 in Mount Pleasant. 
Ta’Corrin’s young life was riddled with more surgeries and medical procedures than most people would see in a hundred lifetimes; however, through all the sickness and pain he endured, Ta’Corrin never complained and never lost his kind and loving personality. Ta’Corrin’s smile was a beacon of light that warmed the hearts and filled those that knew him with love for this special little boy. His family has lost a true hero of their hearts.
He is survived by his parents: Teresa Rushing and TJ Fluellen; his father: Ta’Cordris Rodgers; four brothers: Marcus Allen, Billy Jones, Anthony Jones, and Lucas Garrett; two sisters: Nicki Carter and Trinity George; his maternal grandfather: Lannie Rushing; his paternal grandmother: Michelle Rodgers; his paternal great-grandmother: Martha Rodgers; his aunts and uncles: Suprenna Rushing, Lonnie Rushing, Keisha Rodgers, Melinda Gilmore, Robert Rushing, LaKerria Rodgers, Kristaria Evans, and Cleatron Evans; and by his god mother: Teresa Wooten.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Carolyn Johnson.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m.Feb. 15, at Crossroads Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Greg Miller officiating. Burial was held at Cypress Cemetery in Franklin County.

Zemke
Dennis Wayne Zemke, of Pittsburg, passed away Feb. 8, at the age of 63. Dennis was born Feb. 20, 1953 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Dewayne and Lynn Zemke. Mr. Zemke managed, as well as owned, several convenience stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas before moving to Pittsburg where he managed the EZ Mart. In October 2006 he wed Sharon Buck Zemke. Dennis was a devoted father, husband and grandfather. 
He is survived by his wife Sharon Zemke; two sons: Shannon Zemke and wife Candy, and Michael Zemke and wife Raylene; a stepson: Michael Buck and wife Stephanie; a stepdaughter: Mindi Green and husband Ernest; as well as a sister: Kay Zemke.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Dewayne and Lynn Zemke.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.